The way we wore

CARATS and karats may top the list of priorities for most buyers of bling. But to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA)-trained, former Christie's veteran Brenda Kang, the value of a piece of jewellery is hardly ever determined by its size.

"I've always had a passion for jewellery, but there was a strong affinity for vintage," says the founder of the newly launched vintage jewellery business, Revival. "It is certainly much more than just about the diamonds and gemstones."

Prior to devoting 15 years to the jewellery department of auction house Christie's, where she worked as a senior jewellery specialist in the US, France, Italy, Switzerland and China, Ms Kang discovered her love of jewels imbued with history during her travels as a Singapore Airlines flight attendant.